Uganda fca trip

I am a little less than three years into my college career, and yes, I have learned so much academically. Yet, the real growth has come in my walk with Jesus Christ as my savior. Through organizations in place here at Clemson, and by surrounding myself with friends that stir me up and push me closer to the Lord, I have come to understand him and desire to make him known more than I ever have.  Last year, I sat in my first African Politics class and this desire was so fueled by the knowledge I gained about this continent. I have come to understand the need for humanitarian aid in these places. I have researched the affects of government aid versus private aid, and as Dambisa Moyo, in her book Dead Aid, puts it, the millions of dollars we send abroad to lower the rates of poverty, are actually setting these nations up for failure. Often times, it makes the governments dependent upon the aid as a source of income. Others, the authoritarian, sometimes tyrannical governments, use the money to increase their military grip on their citizens. Yet, when there are feet on the ground, hands at work, and a private sacrifice of time and money, needs are met and lives are changed forever.
        I now aspire desperately to one day work alongside African governments as they try to battle and reconstruct policies so that “Dead Aid” is eliminated. I want to meet this desperation and bring hope to the hopeless. Yet, until then, I will continue to promote private organizations engulfing these places with relief and hope. I believe that malaria, AIDS, Dysentery, cannot spread as fast as the Good News can. Nothing can overwhelm and grip a people like news of fountain whose water allows them to never thirst again, yet, “becomes in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
           In 1971, Colonel Idi Amin seized Uganda. Under his regime, he sought to rid Uganda of all Indians, and thus began his reign of terror. Following his rule, it was estimated that over 300,000 Ugandans were killed in his wake these included religious leaders. After Amin was removed from power, the violence did not stop there. Joseph Kony led a guerilla group in parts of northern Uganda killing many civilians and displacing almost 1.5 million people. It is estimated that 90 of every 1,000 children born in Uganda will not survive past five years. There is a severe deficiency in vitamin A, so children will often become blind. Many children are without parents due to the AIDS epidemic. Yet, Jesus said, “come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest.” The need is great, the job is big, and the people are sick, weary, and lost. What better place to bring hope than here?
     A few weeks ago, Clemson FCA, the very organization that has played a huge role in shaping me into who I am and who I am becoming, announced its international trip to Uganda
      Through prayer, I begged God to allow me to go to this place and be poured out into these people. Somehow, and for some reason, He found my dirty hand worthy of carrying his name to this place, and I was one of the 14 students selected to travel to Uganda at the end of Decemeber. I know that the Lord is planning great things already. He has been in Uganda paving the way for our feet to continue His work. I know that this trip will change me forever and that the Lord is only beginning to show me His plan.  
      However, with my tution bill already falling into the hands of my parents, and my minimum wage barely paying for my groceries, I am now pleading with my friends and family to come alongside me as I continue in this journey. I have to raise $3200 before December. I know that this is nothing for the Lord to accomplish and I believe that this is His will, and that He will provide. 
      More importantly than supporting me financially, I ask that everyone be praying with me for this trip and all that the Lord is doing here in Clemson, and around the world. 
     Thank you all!!!